France - Forbidden Veil

PARIS (AP) - France's interior minister says that since a ban onface-covering Islamic veils took effect in April only six womenhave been convicted and fined. Claude Gueant said in an interview with the daily Le Mondepublished Monday that no woman has been sent to a citizenship class- another potential punishment. Controversy surrounded the law. Muslim leaders, most of themopposed to burqa-style veils, say it stigmatizes all followers ofIslam. Gueant says police cited a total of 237 women but only six wereconvicted. He expressed surprise that nearly a quarter of the womenpolice questioned had converted to Islam. Backers say the law is aimed at ensuring France's secular valuesand gender equality and nipping radical Islam in the bud.